Models and components of investigation and bereavement care after sudden and unexpected child death: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: This is a protocol for a Cochrane review (flexible). The objectives are as follows: To identify, map, and describe models and components of investigation and bereavement care for families in high-income countries following the sudden and unexpected death of a child aged seven completed days to under 18 years. The review question is: What models and components of investigation and bereavement care have been described for these families; how are they organised and delivered; and what outcome domains, experiences, and evidence gaps are reported? Specifically, the review will: identify and describe formal and informal models, pathways, and components of investigation and bereavement care; map their organisation and delivery, including timing, setting, professional roles, inter-agency coordination, and continuity of care; and describe the characteristics of the evidence, including populations, circumstances of death, settings, source types, reported outcome domains, and evidence gaps.